His Convenient Husband is the first book I've read by Robin Covington and it won't be my last! I love m/m romance and I have been seeing her name and books for years and when I saw this I knew I needed to make time for it. Needless to say, I was not disappointed! Her writing is fantastic, her characters well developed. Isaiah is a famous football player who lost his husband three years ago. He's raising his son and likes staying quietly on the sidelines in his personal life. The minute he sees loud and proud Victor, he's consumed with want. Victor is everything that Isaiah isn't. The attraction is palpable and before he knows it, Victor has an invitation to Isaiah's house. One night of off the charts passion leads to Isaiah offering to save Victor from prosecution in Russia. They agree their marriage will be just friends. They get all the safety and none of the perks. But the growing attraction is too much and they give in. Isaiah is scared to lose his heart again. Victor wants a love and family more than anything, but he's afraid to admit his feelings. When words cause one of them to run, can they find their way back to each other. Is the risk worth the reward? I loved this story! Isaiah is big, quiet, sexy and funny. Victor is beautiful, sexy and proud to be who he is. He wears makeup and speaks his mind about the LGBTQ issues in the community. Isaiah's son is gender fluid and he loves having Victor around. They just get each other. I loved that each man has a best friend to confide in and tell them when they are being stupid! Overall, I laughed, cried, smiled a lot, got all tingly and was overcome with joy at the end!

"Your husband is fucking hot."

"Holy shit. If that's how you look at him when he has his clothes on, then we'll never get you out of bed once the season starts."

He tasted so good, like whisky and Isaiah, sin and redemption. He surrendered, melting against Victor with a moan that spoke of the nights they'd spend apart.

There are a couple of elements here that appeal--the convenient marriage of course, and Evan's character, so earnest and strong--but the delivery was a little too sweet, a little too sappy for me.

Victor is a hero, of course. He braves bullies and uncertainty to speak out against hate crimes. This part of the story was important. Social commentary in romance novels is welcome, as long as the facts are right, and the tone suits the overall feel of the book. Here it works with Victor facing his own demons. He also sees himself as a role model for kids like Evan. That relationship is nicely developed and one I enjoyed.

Isaiah worried me. His initial reaction to Victor is completely physical, and his whole reason for refusing to give himself completely over to him is because he lost one husband and doesn't think he could survive a second heartbreak. Fair enough, I guess, but at some point (sooner, preferably) he needed to own up to his feelings and communicate them. I was very grateful for the grand gesture, because he says some very hurtful things at about 85%, and he really needed to redeem himself.

This is light and predictable, and full of romance fantasy. Two rich boys who have the capacity to change lives, but who take an awful long time to sort their own out. Oh my.

Thanks to publisher and Netgalley for advanced copy. His Convenient Husband will be released on Oct 9.

I adored this super angsty story which surprised the hell out of me because me + angst = RUUUUUUNNNNN!!!! lol

Isaiah, an NFL football player, and Victor, an openly gay Russian ballet dancer, spend one steamy night together but Isaiah is still pining over his husband three years after his death. He had the real deal and lost it. He's afraid that going through that kind of loss again would break him and his son Evan is his #1 priority. No relationships for him.

When Victor, who has been an outspoken advocate about his country's treatment and torture of gays, doesn’t get approved for asylum, Isaiah makes an impulsive decision to get married so Victor can stay in the US rather than face danger and possible death going back home. It’s just an arrangement – they will just be friends and then go their different ways once the asylum comes through.. And really, surprisingly, despite their one night together and obvious desire for each other, that’s what happens for most of the book.

Despite their differences, Victor and Isaiah had a wonderful chemistry and friendship that developed during the course of the book. It wasn't all based on sex (although there are sexy times).

I really loved Isaiah's son, Evan, and his relationship with Victor and how that woke Isaiah up to the struggle Evan was going though as a bisexual/bi racial teen who bends gender norms. It was something that Isaiah thought he shielded Evan from by placing him in an elite, *progressive* school. Evan was so damn huggable, brave, open and honest.

Victor is just the sweetest man and had given up any chance at love or family when he became a ward of the Russian government in exchange for a career in the ballet. Marrying Isaiah to get asylum gives him a glimpse at what he could have if only Isaiah will take the chance.

Soooo...like I said - this book is SUPER angsty but I felt like I understood where both men were coming from even when they lashed out. And boy does Isaiah lash out. Some readers might have a hard time with him but I got it.

I would have given this one 5 stars if it weren't for a few nitpicks.

1) There were a few scenes at the beginning that just cut off

2) The end is a clear HEA but I wish we could have seen them together - happy as a family a bit more.

Despite those few quibbles I LOVED this. It was very emotional and I was so rooting for them to make it in the end.

I'm definitely looking into this author's other books because anyone who can make me like angsty romance is a winner in my book.

Before I started this one I read several critical reviews on it so I must admit I started with some apprehension. After reading the story I have to say I'm glad I don't always listen to the naysayers. I absolutely loved this book. I thought this was a wonderful M/M romance that not only gave me a wonderfully entertaining story but also reminded me how important it is to live life just as you are.

Isaiah Blackwell is a man who have known great love in his life. The pain of losing that love has been overwhelming but he's moved on with life for the sake of his son. One thing is for sure, he'll never risk loving like that again. Then Victor Aleksandrov enters his life and nothing will ever be the same. They are complete opposites. Isaiah is quiet, reserved, and very private. Victor is loud, flamboyant, and outspoken. When a one night stand turns into a marriage of convenience these two have to learn to live in each other's worlds.

I would definitely recommend this one!

Wow this book is amazing and I totally loved it. Robin Covington is one fantastic and brilliant author and her books just get better with each one. I really loved this one and all I’m going to say is you have to get a copy of this book it’s that fantastic. Would totally recommend

> > Judging a Book by it's Cover < <
Strong, confident looking man in a suit standing in the foreground of what looks like a stadium, highly faded, in the background. Boxed in title allows for the weak title font to be seen and read with little trouble. Author's name font is stronger. The synopsis is interesting and, if I'm not mistaken, the first M/M from Robin Covington which has me intrigued.

> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third person.


Overall concept of the story was strong and the cast was enjoyable. The third-person narrative felt a little muddy at times, not quite clearly describing who, Victor or Isaiah, was doing a particular action or speaking. There were several times that I had to re-read a scene to try to better picture it but despite that, the plot itself flowed nicely. The chemistry was more push and pull despite the supposedly instant magnetic pull. Isaiah could be a class-A jerk, saying some very cruel things at times. Poor Victor was always kind and forgiving, even as he accepted defeat and surrendered himself to a less-desired outcome. Evan was a wonderfully vibrant secondary cast character.
Most of the conflicts were self-imposed and there was not one dreaded home visit or meeting to attend courtesy of Immigrations like I'd thought they'd have to endure. In fact, there was little to no predictability and surprises were also absent.
The conclusion wraps up solidly, providing a stronger HEA for our couple.
It was a good read. The smooth plot flow and enjoyable cast helped to balance the muddy narration and somewhat flat dynamics.
.
Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.025 ~ Stars: 4
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⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐

A wonderful, enjoyable read that left me feeling all smooshy with love.

His Convenient Husband was a fun take of the marriage-of-convenience trope featuring a NFL player and an out-and-proud ballet dancer. It’s a quick-read full of angst, but not much in the way of romance until close to the end.

What really stands out from this book is the angst, which I didn’t expect at all. I mean, there’s this structure to romance novels, isn’t there. It goes: the love interests meet, fall for each other or resist but then fall for each other, spend a few chapters in bliss, and then something happens to break them apart, but then they realise they love each other in the end. That didn’t really happen here and while there was a part of me that resisted this change of genre – this is an actual study of literature, by the way: the formulas of genre – there was also a part of me that enjoyed it, too. But – the angst was just too much for me in the end.

I had a love-hate relationship with Isaiah: I thoroughly adored his relationship with his son, Evan, and how he supported Evan as his son discovered different multitudes of his sexuality and identity, but unfortunately that wasn’t enough to make me actually like him. I just found his excuses to stay away from Victor quite irksome and repetitive, and his treatment of Victor was … distasteful. I completely understand his reservations, I just think they could have come across better or perhaps developed differently.

Victor, on the other hand, I adored. He was this vibrant, defensive, protective man who wanted a loving family for himself. He was incredibly vocal about the issues facing LGBTQ people in Russia, and I learnt so much from him. I also loved his growing relationship with Evan, and how Evan looked up to him. By the way, Evan really needs his own book – that kid was beautiful.

The plot was slow - but I love slow stories … if there is something to keep me invested in, which I found lacking here. A slow book can be a fantastic book if the reader is looking forward to something. I wasn’t – I just wanted to finish the book.

Overall, I found His Convenient Husband to be an average novel, and it did have a few issues that affected my overall enjoyment of the book. However, I would recommended it if you’re looking for something fast, full of angst, but eventually hopeful.

Two things initially drew me to this book:

1. The synopsis. (Though when I requested it, the blurb said that Victor was a genderfluid ballet dancer.) I probably would have requested the book even if the blurb hadn’t said that Victor was genderfluid, but it was definitely the thing that made me smash that request button on NetGalley.

2. The cover. Few books feature a person of colour on the cover. And especially sports/football romance are so white, it’s just ridiculous. But His Convenient Husband has an afro-american NFL-player AND he’s on the cover. Two things that made me all the more excited to read this book.

In the end I had mixed feelings about this story. Partly because I had expectations based on the blurb, and then I got something different. As I mentioned above, a previous version of the blurb said that Victor is genderfluid. But he’s not. He’s an effeminate gay man who likes make up and to wear androgynous clothes. I was really looking forward to read a book with a genderfluid character, that when I didn’t get that I was a bit disappointed. I realise though that someone who picks the book up when it releases won’t have the same expectations and therefore won’t be disappointed by not having a genderfluid MC.
One thing I absolutely loved about His Convenient Husband, was that it just drew me in. I love it when a book can excite me right from the beginning. The writing was engaging and flowed really well. If it weren’t for my job I would have definitely read this in one sitting. In the blink of an eye I was almost halfway through the book – I couldn’t wait for my lunch break so I could read more of it! The chemistry and first attraction between Victor and Isaiah is palpable and I found the side characters vivid and fascinating. I loved Isaiah’s agent – and Evan, Isaiah’s son is just amazing. I really hope that one day he’ll get his own story because he’s so fierce and has got SO much charisma; I’d just love to read more about him.

I really liked Victor, he is, apart from Evan maybe, definitely my favourite character in this story. I loved his outspokenness and was definitely rooting for him to get his happy end. I was hurting with him Isaiah on the other hand was (sometimes) a really frustrating character. I do like him, and I believe that his isn’t intentionally hurting anyone around him. I understand and appreciate that he wants to protect his son. It’s fantastic that Evan is his first priority – as he should be in this arrangement! BUT Isaiah really has a problem to just listen, sometimes.
His son is 14 years old and definitely will make stupid decisions. And Isaiah can’t protect him from everything. Especially because Victor technically is Isaiah’s husband and therefore Evan’s step-dad, even if it’s just out of convenience, but Isaiah can’t expect his 14 year old son not to be inspired by Victor or try to be a bit more like him. Even more so because I feel like Isaiah should realise that his son is possibly genderqueer. At the very least gender non-conforming Evan loves to wear dresses and to experiment with make-up. And he’s done this even before Isaiah and Victor met.

When things blew up, I just needed way more groveling on Isaiah’s part to believe him and that he was actually in it permanently. Whenever something happened, Isaiah would just blindly make Victor responsible for it – completely disregarding that Evan is his own person, with his own decisions and mistakes to make. Evan was inspired by Victor, who continued to speak out about the situation for gay men in russia. And Isaiah knew this when he married Victor. He knew it! So throwing Victor’s activism in his face whenever things didn’t go the way Isaiah wanted them to, really annoyed me.

Nevertheless – even though Isaiah is thick-headed and stubborn, I still really enjoyed this book. I can’t wait to read the sequels in this series and to see Victor, Isaiah and Evan again. Recommended!

I loved Victor, the Chechnyan ballet dancer was an absolutely delight and he pulled this book up for me from an otherwise much lower rating.
Isaiah was not at all sympathetic and for the vast majority of the book I actively disliked his character. The way he treated Victor was awful and, while I understood he had what he felt were valid reasons, the constant push pull as he kept offering up hope made me really angry.
Evan is fabulous as well, I;d love to read about him when he grows up and I'd love to find out more about both Ian and Adam. The world setting worked well as a backdrop too.
There was some epic level groveling from Isaiah which went a long way to bringing him up a few notches in my eyes and I loved the epilogue.

Wow! What a fun, hot read!! Loved every moment of it and loved how the son played such a key role! Hope to see more of this series!

Viktor's only hope of staying in the states was Isaiah. A chance meeting saved his life. Isaiah had the love of his life. His loss was something that was felt each and every day. All it was supposed to be was granting a favor. Saving someone from the life they would endure if they returned to a country that was against the choice to be with the one you loved. Their love would save the other.

His Convenient husband is about Isaiah-a widowed single father/openly gay NFL player and Victor, Russian born ballet dancer/gay activist. The two meet at the theater, as they are both represented by the same agent. And Isaiah's son is infatuated with Victor.

Victor is only in the US on a work visa, which, when it does not get renewed, his very SHORT friendship he has with Isaiah leads to a marriage of convenience. The two barely know each other and if I am being honest, the relationship felt like a bit of a struggle to me. Victor had no problem being who he was but Isaiah held himself back for fear of the repercussions from the league and he team-even though they knew he was gay.

This is a short story and quick read. I gave it three stars because Isaiah and Victor were just ok for me.

An NFL player and a Ballet superstar will rock your world. This M/M is smokin' hot and is sure to satisfy that next book craving. If you haven't read a book from Robin she has an entire backlist of #mustread books to select from!

His Convenient Husband was a good story over. Isaiah and Victor were great characters and the storyline was well developed. I did find the angst a little frustrating at times but not enough to ruin the enjoyment of the book. I look forward to reading more by this author

Sexy characters, with a good storyline and plot. Covington knows the genre.

Isaiah & Victor have a flash of sexy in their past that may come back to bite them. Isaiah is offering to help Victor stay here in America. To go home for him would be death. Isaiah struggles with this, since he is very attracted to Victor and has a hard time staying hands off.

Victor is starting to have real feelings for Isaiah. He finds the many parts of his personality very attractive and knows he is falling for him. How do you find love when the person you care for has no interest in falling?

This book was really sexy. I loved the interaction with the characters. The pages sizzle with electricity from the main characters chemistry. I love that the backstories of both are varied, diverse, and very real and easy to understand. Really good read. I give this book a 3/5 Kitty's Paws UP!


***This early copy was given in exchange for an honest review by Netgalley and its publisher.

** spoiler alert ** A departure from what I usually read by this author, I was intrigued by a M/M marriage of convenience story. The story started out good, but took a turn that ruined it for me.

I don't care if a book is M/M or M/F - I don't like cheating in a book. Period. Some can argue that that's not what happened with Victor in the nightclub, but it's how I felt. Making the situation worse is he threw it in Isaiah's face and the truth of that night was never explained or resolved between the two of them. It took away from the story for me and I lost interest in seeing the HEA at that point.

I love this author and will continue to read her books, but this was not one of my favorites.

Let's get married."...."What did you just say?" "Let's get married. We can go to Vegas and get it done, then you can't be deported." Oh yes - classic story, with a wonderful twist! Dancer, Victor Aleksandrov is at risk of being deported back to Russia. As an outspoken gay man about human rights, among other things, being deported is not just an inconvenience. It is a possible death sentence.

Isaiah Blackwell, star NFL player, is definitely attracted to Victor. But he's not looking for a relationship. Particularly with someone as outspoken as Victor! Isaiah has caught feelings for the man, there is no denying that. So the prospect of marrying Victor to keep him in the country sounds practical enough. But as the story goes, we know (and hope!) that true love will prevail!

This story if fantastic! It pulls you in with the passion and locks you in with the inevitable love! I really enjoyed the additional dynamic of Isaiah's son playing a part in bringing the two together.

I enjoyed the cameo by Mick Blackwell from Robin Covington's Playing the Part! Also, one of my favorite books!

I enjoyed this story. When I read the blurb, I thought I’d probably like it, but I didn’t expect to become as engaged in it as I did. I’ve read other stories with the same or similar titles and they were all as expected—light, fluffy, romantic, marriage of convenience turned serious and leading to a HEA. On the one hand this was that. But on the other, the characters were well-developed, particularly Victor Aleksandrov, ballet dancer and LGBTQ rights supporter. Because of his outspoken advocacy and his derogatory comments on the treatment of homosexuals in his home country, he needs to remain in the US. If he doesn’t, he’ll be killed. It’s as simple as that.

Isaiah Blackwell, pro football player, widower, and father of a fourteen-year-old artistic and genderfluid teen is not interested in any more than a hookup, so when he’s sees the opportunity to sleep with the gorgeous dancer, he seizes it. Interestingly, they both share the same agent. (Somehow I doubt that would be the case in real life. Sports agents and artists’ agents are likely completely different in who they know and what they do to secure the best for their clients. It was little things like this that kept my rating from going higher.) Because they share the same agent, and he’s friends with both men, he acts as the catalyst to bring the two together. When Victor is denied asylum by the US, it’s Isaiah who offers to marry Victor so he can stay.

I found both main characters to be very personable and I particularly liked Victor, who knew his own mind and remained true to his beliefs and feelings. Isaiah was quite childish in his need to keep Victor in a separate component of his heart. Dragging out the old trope of giving him his own room because the master bedroom belongs to the widower and his ghost (whose picture is on the nightstand by the bedside!); and encouraging him to be a part of the family but excluding him from decisions involving the child just didn’t cut it here. His self-inflicted angst was too much for me, as well. I’m not a big fan of a character repeating the same actions and thoughts over and over and over again. Too much wallowing in pain that’s totally not necessary.

The ending was sweet and what I had expected. Without giving details on that, I can say that I may have read something similar in the sixties. In fact, as I write this review, it occurs to me that the whole story felt a little old-fashioned. With apologies to all if this comes out as sexist: it felt like a light, fluffy, ladies’ romance of yesteryear, dusted off, and then revised to include today’s social issues (including a genderfluid child) and with Victor inserted as the “ballerina” who fell in love with the football player.

So if this kind of sweet romance is your thing, by all means try this one.